The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) announced on Thursday that Zimbabwe may be impacted by Tropical Cyclone Chido, which is currently affecting the northeastern region of Madagascar.
In an advisory, the MSD predicted that Tropical Cyclone Chido is expected to cross into Zimbabwe on December 17.
The cyclone is likely to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall exceeding 70 millimetres within 24 hours in certain areas. Said the MSD:
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The tropical system Chido, which is still to the North-East of Madagascar, has intensified into an INTENSE TROPICAL CYCLONE over the past twenty-four hours and its chances of affecting Zimbabwe have greatly increased.
It is likely to cross into Zimbabwe on the 17th of December 2024 bringing with it strong winds and heavy rainfalls of more than 70mm in 24 hours over some places in Manicaland, Masvingo, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Harare metropolitan and some parts of Midlands and Mashonaland West.
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Meanwhile, the Department of Civil Protection has urged citizens to be vigilant for heavy rains, thunderstorms, strong winds, potential flooding, rockfalls, and mudflows.
The public is advised to secure their homes against damaging winds and to establish evacuation plans in preparation for severe weather conditions.
Tropical Cyclone Chido is the third low-pressure system that has threatened Southern Africa this year.
The first storm of the 2024-2025 cyclone season in the southwest Indian Ocean, named Ancha, was designated by the Comoros.
Following this, Cyclone Bheki was named by Eswatini. The name Chido was provided by Zimbabwe.
If another storm forms before the season ends, it will be named Dikeledi, designated by South Africa.
Each year, tropical cyclones are named in alphabetical order, alternating between male and female names.
The list of names is proposed by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) members in a specific region and is approved by the corresponding tropical cyclone regional bodies during their annual or biannual sessions.
Zimbabwe has also provided the name Yemurai for the 25th storm of the season.
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The weather department says a big storm named Tropical Cyclone Chido is coming to Zimbabwe on December 17. This storm will bring very strong winds and lots of rain, especially in certain areas. People should be careful and ready for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds. They need to make sure their homes are safe and have a plan in case they need to leave because of the bad weather. The storm is still far away, but everyone needs to be prepared for it.

Tropical Cyclone Chido Forecast To Hit Zimbabwe On December 17

The Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe has assured citizens that they are safe for the entire week (11 to 17 December 2024) from a low-pressure system that has developed in the Indian Ocean.
In an advisory, the MSD said that Severe Tropical Storm Chido, which hasn’t gained enough strength to be classified as a Tropical Cyclone, is currently more than 3,000 kilometres away from Zimbabwe. The MSD said:
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The third tropical system of the 2024/2025 cyclone season (Severe Tropical Storm Chido) has developed in the Indian Ocean and is travelling Westwards at a speed of 13km/h towards Madagascar where it is expected to arrive on the 13th of December 2024.
The system has not yet reached the cyclone stage but it is strengthening. It is expected to reach Mozambique on the 17th of December if it maintains its trajectory. The MSD will continue to monitor its progress and update the nation accordingly.
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According to a report by <a href="https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2024/12/indian-ocean-tropical-cyclone-chido-tracking-westward-toward-agalega-mauritius-dec-11-update-2">Crisis24</a>, Chido is tracking westward across the Indian Ocean toward Agalega, Mauritius, on December 11. As of 11 AM CAT, the system was around 1,072 km north of Port Louis, Mauritius. The report reads in part:
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Forecast models indicate that the storm will strengthen as it continues westward and passes just south of Agalega, Mauritius, late Dec. 11.
Chido is expected to briefly strengthen into an intense tropical cyclone as it tracks westward and then west-southwestward away from Agalega on Dec. 12, before weakening back into a tropical cyclone and making landfall over the northern Diana Region in Madagascar late Dec. 13-early Dec. 14.
The system is likely to weaken into a severe tropical storm as it tracks southwestward across the Mozambique Channel Dec. 14-15, passing south of Mayotte late Dec. 14 or early Dec. 15.
The storm will continue to weaken before making another landfall over Nampula Province in Mozambique late Dec. 15 or early Dec. 16.
After landfall, Chido is expected to weaken rapidly into a zone of disturbed weather and dissipate as it tracks southwestward inland over southern Nampula during the morning of Dec. 16.
Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast; changes could occur in the coming hours and days.
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The weather people in Zimbabwe say there's a big storm in the ocean, but it's far away and won't reach us this week. The storm is called Severe Tropical Storm Chido, and it's moving towards Madagascar and Mozambique. It might get stronger, but it's not a big cyclone yet. The weather experts will keep checking on the storm and tell us if anything changes. So, don't worry, Zimbabwe is safe from this storm for now.

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